Author: kjg5854

For the fourth project, there were some readings and various tutorials.

• Parallel Universes, Chapter 8. This chapter’s main purpose is to introduce students to visual principles, and for this project, we visit visual principles such as Direction and Contrast. The direction is associated with creating the path through the work, so the viewer pays attention to the focal points and visual structures. The contrast can occur when the qualitatively different objects and events occur in the same visual field, e.g., round vs. square, straight vs. curly, large vs. small, etc.
• Parallel Universes, Chapter 6. This chapter’s main goal is to familiarize students with the notion of Kinematics, motion, and time. A Kinematic object exhibits physical changes over time. These changes can be caused by internal and external phenomena such as translation (move from one point to another), rotation (spanning around an axis), vibration ( shift in location or scale in some pattern). Time is the fourth dimension; however, we experience it in a different way than other dimensions. Our perception of time depends on culture. So, people living in western countries associate time as a straight line that moves forward continuously.  On the other hand, some cultures depict this line as non-linear (the cyclic or parallel concept of time). We percept motion as a change over time. In art, the notion of motion can be represented through implied motion, actual motion, and the illusion of motion.
• LinkedIn Learning, Learning Autodesk Fusion360. In this tutorial, the students had to focus on Parametric sketching and Geometric modeling. I was surprised that it is much easier to create complex bodies with sketching. However, I also faced some problems while working with this tutorial. When we worked on sketching the struts, the instructor wanted us to create fillets on the sketch (see the picture below), but I could not do it on the sketch because it resulted in strange-looking additions to the strut. So this problem was solved by first creating the sketch without the fillet, then extruding the part, and only adding the fillet to the body. In addition to that problem, my Strand Beast leg does not move as it should move, I tried to fix it, but after some time, I decided to leave it alone because it already took a lot of time. The result of the tutorial is represented in the following embed.

• The other tutorials’ main purpose was to introduce students to CNC mill, its set-up, and CAM software. Students also learned about the MeshCam program that generated G-code that CNC mill uses to recreate the design. In addition to that, there was a video that talked about the Mach3 app that turns a computer into a CNC controller.
• Collage and Montage in Art. This article’s main goal is to bring in the idea of collage in art,  show that it is not only can appear in 2D, and also introduce students to the pioneer of this type of art expression – Louise Nevelson.

The third project references are Chapters 8 and 14 of Parallel Universes, Alternate Realities, and LinkedIn Learning tutorials.

In chapter 8 of Parallel Universes, students were asked to read about the following visual principles: Hierarchy and Scale. Two relationships of order can occur in Hierarchy: Emphasis and Subordination. Emphasis is represented by the main object/event, and Subordination is represented by the dependent objects/events that modify or complement the emphasized feature. The scale is a relationship between an object and its context (or other external relationship). When we change the size of an object, we change the scale with its environment. Changing the size of the surroundings can also change the scale of the object.

Chapter 14 of Parallel Universes discusses material processes such as addition, subtraction, assembly, and substitution. Addition (modeling) is characterized by building using soft material that can be modeled by hand. However, computer software (Mudbox) allows the modeler to manipulate volume as if he or she was working with clay. Subtraction occurs when works reveal from a larger volume through the process of carving. In traditional sculpture, the material such as stone or wood is used in the subtractive process. Assembly is a practice of manipulating the existing objects through assembly and construction. Digital analog of assembly can be seen in boolean union commands and juxtaposition of the elements. Substitution is a process of creating a form in first, intermediate material in order to recreate it in the second, final material. It is a process of creating a mold. In digital art, 3D scanning is a way of acquiring the data from the physical world.

Alternate Realities Discusses the notion of realism in the art world. The reality in art takes many forms, such as Realism, Surrealism, Photorealism, Hyperrealism, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Computer Generated Imagery, Digital Fabrication. All of them try to imitate the real world.
Realism emerges in France in the 1850s when the artists attempted to represent the world around them in a truthful way without supernatural elements and fiction. In turn, Surrealist artists use traditional realism techniques in the non-traditional way when they explore the subconscious rather than the conscious state. In photorealism, artists study the photograph and try to reproduce the image by painting, drawing, and other graphic media. Hyperrealism occurs with the emergence of high-resolution digital images. Hyperrealistic painting or sculpture resembles a high-resolution photograph, which creates the sense that it is more real than real. Computer Created Imagery is an application of computer graphics in creating still or animated visual content.

LinkedIn Learning tutorials’ main goal was to introduce and familiarize students with Autodesk Meshmixer, 3D printing, and 3D scanning. In the tutorial on Meshmixer, the instructor discussed its interface, talked about how to save and import files, and showed the technique of fixing mesh automatically and with remeshing. In addition to that, students learned what separate bodies mean in Meshmixer and how to export them. In the tutorial on 3D printing and scanning, the instructor showed how to use 3D printing software, FDM-style 3d printers, and a laser scanner. The main takeaway from these tutorials was that it is recommended to work in a standard shader because it shows the outside and inside faces in different colors, and this might help detect the problems.

The second project references included reading from Parallel Universes(Chapters 5, 8, 13) and Hidden Geometry as well as tutorials on LinkedIn learning platform.  

Chapter 5 discusses the notion of Volume (Mass), Void (Space), and Mass-Void relationship. Mass is a body occupying the space, while Void is a space defined by masses. Even if Mass and Space have the same size, they are not equal. The mass-void relationship can be seen in Freestanding and Relief sculptures. Freestanding sculptural works can be perceived when the viewer is active and in motion. Relief sculptures are intended to be seen from a certain point of view. Installation is also a type of sculptural work where Mass-Void relationships can be seen. Installation wraps itself around the viewer; he or she does not have to move to experience it. 

Chapter 8 focuses on Visual Principles, and for this project, we have to focus on principles such as Pattern and Economy. When an element or event is copied and multiplied into composition, the Pattern or Repetition occurs. When the piece is controlled by geometry or mathematics, it creates Progression or Rhythm correspondingly. Economy is an approach where “less is more,” it is when artists omit non-essential elements to emphasize what is important. 

Chapter 15 discusses Projection and its types. Projection is a shadow of 3D reality onto the 2D surface. Projection helps to understand higher-dimensional reality. Perspective Projection is a “natural” way to see objects and the world around but is very difficult to construct. The invention of various dives such as Alberti’s perspective window helped people to better understand perspective. Perspective can be three-point, two-point, one-point. In Parallel Projection, the sightlines are parallel when projecting to the picture plane, and they never converge. Parallel Projection is used to create Axonometric and Orthographic Projections. Axonometric Projection is a view when the object’s planes and axes are not parallel to the picture plane. Orthographic Projection is a kind of Projection when the picture plane is parallel to the faces of object and angles of Projection are perpendicular to the picture plane. Orthographic Projection is preferred in technical drawings because there is no angular and linear distortion. 

The main takeaway from the Parallel Universes for me was that I learned different types of perspectives and that there were special devices to learn perspective.

The Hidden Geometry article discusses different types of Symmetry. There are following types of Symmetry:

• Bilateral Symmetry (the object can be devised into symmetrical halves)
• Radial Symmetry (there exist axes of Symmetry in multiple directions) 
• Self-similarity (when a part is similar to its whole) 
• Near Symmetry (when object displays a tendency toward Symmetry) 

In the tutorial on Autodesk Fusion 360, we focused on user interface and organic sculpting. During this tutorial, we created a bike seat, which is represented below. This tutorial was beneficial for me because I have never used Fusion 360. Nevertheless, the main thing that I learned from it was the grouping of faces and saving them.

The second tutorial from the LinkedIn Learning platform was about laser cutting. We focused on cutting interlocking forms, the laser cutting process limitations, how to format our art, and what things we need to consider. Like Fusion 360, laser cutting is an absolutely new thing for me, and this tutorial was helpful. Still, one thing that pops up in my mind when I think about the takeaway is that we need to be aware of material and appropriate line thickness. If we do not consider this, we can cause a fire hazard.

For the first project, we were given three reading resources: In the Cloud, Parallel Universes (Ch. 4 and Ch. 8), and Gestalt Theory. 

The primary purpose of In the Cloud was to familiarize the reader with the difference between drive storage and cloud storage. The main disadvantage of the physical drive storage (mainly flash drive) is that it corrupts easily. It is impossible to restore the data. The following schema (3-2-1 backup rule) of storing data may reduce the possibility of losing the work done:

• Have three copies of data
• Keep data on two different media 
• Store one backup on remote server (cloud-based server) 

One of the interesting points of this article was this 3-2-1 backup rule. Even though we all know that technology can be unreliable from time to time, I tend to rely on it very badly and do not have a habit of storing my data anywhere but my computer.

Chapter 4 of the Parallel Universes focuses on Point, Line, and Plane. A point does not have dimensions, and its only property is its location. Line, on the other hand, has one dimension. The line consists of an infinite number of points; it is a point pushed by some force along a vector of some length. The plane, in turn, is a two-dimensional entity; it is a line pushed by some force along a vector of some length. It may consist of an infinite number of points, lanes, and subdivided planes. Other entities described in the article are volume and kinematics, which are three- and four-dimensional entities. 

Point expresses its optical properties, such as texture and color. A line can possess even more properties such as length, thickness, curviness, or straightness. For the plane, even if it is black and white, the possibilities for achieving expressiveness are almost infinite. 

Another interesting topic of this chapter is the figure-ground (positive-negative) relationship. Figure (or positive shape) is a meaningful mark made on the ground (or negative shape). The figure is drawn inside the visual field of ground, while the ground is everything but figure. There are three figure-ground relationship types: 

• Stable (easy to determine the figure) 
• Reversible (the eye may alternate between ground and figure)  
• Ambiguous (it is not apparent what is ground/figure) 

In Chapter 8, we were asked to focus on principles such as Unity and Balance. Unity is a quality that provides the sense that there is nothing else to be added; it means that the composition is whole and complete. Balance can be achieved through Equilibrium, Symmetry, and Asymmetry. 

Equilibrium is physical stability; it can be achieved by equal distribution of structure. Equilibrium is a physical equivalent of Symmetry. Symmetry is a visual attribute of Balance. Symmetry can be achieved by placing elements on opposite sides relative to the center. Balance can be achieved through Asymmetry by developing a harmonic relationship of visually unequal parts.  

Gestalt theory is a set of principles of perception and laws of grouping. This theory is useful in creating “rules” used in visual design and related domains. Gestalt theory introduces four principles of perception: emergence, reification, multistability, and invariance. In addition to that, there are eight laws of grouping: proximity, similarity, closure, symmetry, continuity, common fate, figure and ground, Prägnaz.

The most interesting takeaway from this article for me was the arrow in the FedEx logo. While I can see FedEx cars every day, I did not notice this arrow until after reading this article about Gestalt theory. It reminds me that I need to pay more attention to everyday things and appreciate ideas that designers and artists try to put in their works.